Structural element



T. AHLBORN STRUCTURA Oct. 2, 1934.

L ELEMENT Filed May 29, 1930 Patented Oct. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Y Theodor Ahlborn, Houston, Tex. 7 Application May 29, 1930, Serial No. 457,139 Claims. (01. 108+1) My invention relates to enclosing structural elements such as walls, roofs, lattice work and the like of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,483,037 granted February 5, 1924.

5 V The invention has among its objects to provide a new and improved arrangement of the bars or battens of roofs, walls and other structures of the type disclosed in the above mentioned patent which will eliminate the torque or eccentric loading produced at the point where two bars or battens of said patent are joined centrally to a third, because of the ofiset relation of the parts of the bars or battens asshown in Figure 7 of said patent. This object is'accomplished by pro- 16 viding a junction between the bars or battens in which the two bars intercepting the third centrally are arranged substantially, in the same line, thereby eliminating any torque action of the two bars around the third.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a joint by which two bar or timber members may be held on oppositesides of a third member.

In the accompanying drawing, i

Figure 1 shows an elevation of part of a frame work made from straight bar or batten members.

Figure 2 shows a side View of a bar or batten member used in the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a cross section taken longitudinally of the bar or batten members where they meet and a joint is formed, the showing in this figure being rotated 90 from the showing in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a perspective View of the plates shown in cross section in Figure 3 and used in forming the joint.

Figure 5 shows a cross section similar to Figure 3 and showing a modified form of joint and plates.

Figure 6 shows a'perspective view of the plates shown in cross section in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing in which the same reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 indicates bars, battens, planks, or the like, which may be formed from any suitable material such as wood, iron, steel, aluminum or its alloys orany other material having the necessary rigidity and strength, and which are referred to in the description which follows and in the appended claims as bar members for the purpose of brevity and not by way of limitation, it being intended to include by said term bar member or bar members, planks,

bars, battens, rods and all shapes of material performing the function of the members indicated by the numeral 1.

In forming the enclosing. structure the bar members 1 are arranged relative to each other as shown in Figure l, shorter bar members 2 being employed wherever necessary to fill out the structure in starting .or ,finishing1ofi. The bar members are secured together by the joint shown in cross section in Figures 3 and 5, Figure 3 being one modification and Figure 5 being another modification. The bar members, as will appear from the drawing, are arranged in line toform two sets of intersecting rows, the rows of each set being parallel. The angle of intersection may vary with requirements. The tops of the mernbers l are preferably ilush at the joints so that boards or roof laths may be conveniently placed over the bar members 1 for receiving roofing material when the structure is employed in constructing roofs. Instead of straight bar members curved bar members, as shown in Patent No. 1,483,037 mentioned above, may be used in forming curved or arcuate frames or structures.

In the joint shown in Figure 3 two bar members 1 engage a third bar member lat a point intermediate the ends of the latter preferably at a point equidistant from the ends. The third bar member of the joint is provided with an opening 4. Each bar member 1 is provided with such an opening intermediate its ends, and equidistant from the ends whenthe bar members are connected in the preferred manner. Plates 5 are positioned on opposite sides of the third bar member and serve to draw or press the other two bar members against the third bar member when the bolt 6 is passed through openings '7 of the plates 5 and opening 4 of the third bar member and secured in position by means of the nut 8 as shown in Figure 3. The two bar members which engage the third bar member are bevelled at 9 and are also provided with openings or sockets 10 for receiving the pin 11 on each plate 5. The bevelled portions 9 are cut away at 12 to permit free passage of the bolt 6 through the opening 4. In assembled relationship, the bevelled portions 9 rest and press against the third bar member. The shape and structure of the plate 5 fully appears in Figures 3 and 4.

In the modification of the joint shown in Figure 5, two bar members 1 are disposed on opposite sides of a third bar member 1 provided with an opening 4, as in the modification shown in Figure 3, but a different type plate indicated by the numeral 20 is employed. The construction of this plate 20 fully appears from the drawing, the said plates as well as plates 5 being preferably made of iron or aluminum or aluminum alloy or any other suitable metal or material. The plate 20 may be provided with two openings 21 each adapted to receive a bolt 28 for drawing the plates 20 towards the third ,member, as the plates 5 are drawn towards the third member in the modification shown in Figure 3. In the modification shown in Figure 5 the bevelled portions 9 of the members 1 are omitted, and instead thereof the two bar members on opposite sides of the third bar member have squared ends, as indicated at 22, which fit against appropriately inclined portions 23 of the plate 20 for forming the desired angular relationship between the three bar' members. When two bolts 28 are employed two openings 4 must be provided.

Plate 20 is provided with an extension 24 which preferably forms a right angle with the inclined portion 23 and bar members are secured between this extension and the third bar member. Screws or nails 25 are preferably driven through the openings 26 of the extensions 24 into the bar members ending against the inclined portion 23 of the plate. The nut 27 corresponds to nut 8 in the modification shown in Figure 3 and operates in a similar manner.

Suitable end and base pieces 30 and 31 may be used for receiving the free ends of the bar members, for supporting them or finishing the ends. Spacers 32, and bolts 33 and plates 34 and 35 maybe employed in securing the bar members to the end and base pieces 30 and 31.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A joint including-three bar members two of which are in substantial alignment on opposite sides of the third, a plate on one side of said third member pressing one of said two members towards the third, a plate on the opposite side of the third member pressing the other of said two members towards the third, each of said plates adapted to rest against said third member and also against the one or said twoother members on the same side of said third member, and means passing from one plate to another for pressing said plates towards the third member.

'2. A joint including three bar members two of which are in substantial alignment on opposite sides of the third, a plate on one side of said third member pressing one of said two members towards the third, a plate on the opposite side of the third member pressing the other of said two members also towards the third, each of said plates adapted to rest against said third member and also against the one of said two other members on the same side of said third member, and means passing from one plate to another through the said third member for exerting pressure on said plates towards the said third member.

3. A joint including three bar members two of which are in substantial alignment on opposite sides of the third, a plate on one side of said third member pressing one of said two members against the third, a plate on the opposite side of the third member pressing the other of said two members also againstthe third, each of said plates adapted to rest against said third member and also against the one of said two other members on the same side of said third member, and means passing from one plate to another through said third member 'for exerting pressure on said" plates towards the said third member.

4. A joint comprising three bar members two of which are in substantial alignment on opposite sides of the third, a plate on one side of said third member pressing one of said two members against the third, a plate on the opposite side of the third member pressing the other of said two members also against the third, each of said plates adapted to rest against said third member and also against the one of said two other members on the same side of said third membenand a bolt passing from one of said plates to the other through the said third member exerting pressure on said plates towards the said third member.

5. A joint including three bar members two of which are in substantial alignment on opposite sides of the third, a plate on one side of said third member pressing one of said two members towards'the third, a plate on the oppositeside of 1 the third member pressing the other of said two members towards the third, each of said plates adapted to rest against said third member and also against the one of said two other members on the same side of said third member, means passing from one plate toan'other for pressing said plates towards the third member, and means for tying a plate to the bar member it presses towards said third member. i

' THEODOR AHLBORN. 

